Mazda - RX-8

2003 onwards 

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The award-winning RX-8 is unique with its four-door coupe body and its rotary engine. It's fantastic to drive and technologically intriguing. Individual and quirky but it works and it's very desirable.

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	An innovative four-door coupe with stunning looks
	A great drive with excellent handling and grip
	Smooth, eager rotary engine
	Rather thirsty, high servicing costs
	High CO2 emissions figures
	No chance of used bargains yet

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Mazda continued developing the rotary engine (which does away with traditional pistons) long after European manufacturers lost faith. The RX-8 is vindication of the company's perseverance. The fast-spinning, ultra-smooth 2.7-litre motor is hardly economical, and there have been some early reports of high oil consumption, but when a car is this great to drive, who cares? The low-torque, high-revving output isn't to everyone's taste, but it's less raw and far more tractable than the RX-7 it replaces. RX-8 cruises quietly when wanted and is perfectly serene on long motorway journeys.
Equally unique is RX-8's four-door sports coupe body. There are two conventional front doors, plus two smaller, rear-hinged doors which open out in clamshell fashion, giving superb access to the rear seats which can accommodate two adults comfortably. Load space is good, too.
RX-8 a temptingly individual alternative to the all-too-common TT, flash 350Z or conservative CLK all of which are pricier.